4003 vs 4001C64

[jack1953]

What is the main difference between these 2 basses? (New models in particular)
Jack

[RobRick]

About $1000!!

4003 is still made, 4001C64 isn't!

I kid! There are a lot of differences, the main ones are the PUs (4003 has high gains, C64 toaster and HS RI), C64 is mono only, C64 has infamous reverse headstock, dot markers, and no binding on neck or body. I'm sure I am missing something.

I love my 4001C64!

[superdick2112]

The C64 also happens to have the best feeling neck of any Ric bass ever made (imho), the silver tolex vintage case w/ crushed blue velvet interior is oh-so-cool, the tone is top-shelf classic Rickenbacker, and it looks darned sexy as well.
If you have the means, do what many of us here have done & save yourself from such a difficult choice by getting one of each, and don't forget about the 4004 basses - Rickenbacker's "best kept secret". Between these three basses, there is every Ric bass tone you could ever want.

[jack1953]

About $1000!!

4003 is still made, 4001C64 isn't!

I kid! There are a lot of differences, the main ones are the PUs (4003 has high gains, C64 toaster and HS RI), C64 is mono only, C64 has infamous reverse headstock, dot markers, and no binding on neck or body. I'm sure I am missing something.

I love my 4001C64!

I'm seeing on other websites 2009 and 2010 4001C64s for sale?????

[cjj]

Well, saying they aren't made anymore is a bit wrong. RIC quit taking orders for them in Jan. 2009. They will keep making them until all orders are filled, then they're done...

http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.a ... ews=recent

[RobRick]

Well, saying they aren't made anymore is a bit wrong. RIC quit taking orders for them in Jan. 2009. They will keep making them until all orders are filled, then they're done...

http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.a ... ews=recent

Well, is a C64 as easy to obtain as a 4003? I think not.

[berth]

The C64 also happens to have the best feeling neck of any Ric bass ever made (imho),

I sold my '06 4001c64 because of the neck. Best neck I played untill now is my '86 4003 MID/BT. (imho)

[cassius987]

The C64 also happens to have the best feeling neck of any Ric bass ever made (imho)

I'm always skeptical of this kind of claim (no offense), not just because of how subjective it is but because Ric necks vary perhaps more within models than between them. Do you have a similar vintage (as in, made in the same year) 4003 to compare to?

The NAMM 2010 4001C64S I played had a slim two-piece neck and was the closest of any modern bass I've played to my 4001FL, which is very fast. My 2010 4003 that came from around July-ish of this year is very thin but still seems to have a little more "presence" when you grip the neck, so this may well support what Richard is saying (since mine came later than the C Series I tried and usually later means thinner, though not always).

[superdick2112]

The C64 also happens to have the best feeling neck of any Ric bass ever made (imho)

I'm always skeptical of this kind of claim (no offense), not just because of how subjective it is but because Ric necks vary perhaps more within models than between them. Do you have a similar vintage (as in, made in the same year) 4003 to compare to?

No offence whatsoever, because this indeed an entirely subjective matter. My favorite neck (or bass, amp, tone, player, etc.) may do absolutely nothing for you, and vice-versa. As for comparisons, I have an '08 4003, an '08 4004Cii, and lastly, I was able to compare it side-by-side with three other 4001C64 basses when I bought it. I was more attracted to the Mapleglo's looks, but I chose the Fireglo because it was the best feeling of the four that I played. As for neck variances, either within or between models, I have played enough Rics over the past 35 years to both confirm and agree with your statement.

The NAMM 2010 4001C64S I played had a slim two-piece neck and was the closest of any modern bass I've played to my 4001FL, which is very fast. My 2010 4003 that came from around July-ish of this year is very thin but still seems to have a little more "presence" when you grip the neck, so this may well support what Richard is saying (since mine came later than the C Series I tried and usually later means thinner, though not always).

Again, I feel this is simply a matter of personal preference. I do think the neck on my C64 is tops, but my favorite bass is still my 4004Cii. I have a tendency to favor one bass for a year or so, and then rotate it with another from the stable. The switch usually has very little to do with neck feel, and more to do with wanting a new variation of tone.

[rickenbrother]

my favorite bass is still my 4004Cii.

Me too!

[woodyng]

Me 3! I would love to try one of the new thinner 2 piece necks,too!

[RobRick]

4001C64 in FG all the way for me! The 4004 just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe someday, if I get a chance to play one...

[cassius987]

The 4004 just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe someday, if I get a chance to play one...

Then how do you know it isn't?

Ironically I spent about a year on another forum where one member got either two or three lemon 4004Ls and it made me write them off as terrible after how many negative things were posted. I finally tried a Cii at Wildwood Guitars, and then another and another... the total by now is something like six to eight of them, all Ciis. Here are the conclusions I drew from all that:

Tone: Awesome, different from a 4003 but not extremely; the low-loss circuit adds extra crispness to the sound
Feel: More Fender-ish as far as taper to the neck is concerned, and maybe profile as well; I prefer my 4003s and 4001s but I have to admit there was a very ergonomic element to their necks; didn't care one way or the other about the contoured body
Look: I prefer the 4003 by a mile, but the occasional 4004Cii MG will give me pause
Conclusion: Maybe some day.

I hope you get a chance to try one! If nothing else they are clearly designed to be bullet-proof workhorse basses, and a lot of players who don't even consider Rics would like that.

[RobRick]

The 4004 just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe someday, if I get a chance to play one...

Then how do you know it isn't?

Ironically I spent about a year on another forum where one member got either two or three lemon 4004Ls and it made me write them off as terrible after how many negative things were posted. I finally tried a Cii at Wildwood Guitars, and then another and another... the total by now is something like six to eight of them, all Ciis. Here are the conclusions I drew from all that:

Tone: Awesome, different from a 4003 but not extremely; the low-loss circuit adds extra crispness to the sound
Feel: More Fender-ish as far as taper to the neck is concerned, and maybe profile as well; I prefer my 4003s and 4001s but I have to admit there was a very ergonomic element to their necks; didn't care one way or the other about the contoured body
Look: I prefer the 4003 by a mile, but the occasional 4004Cii MG will give me pause
Conclusion: Maybe some day.

I hope you get a chance to try one! If nothing else they are clearly designed to be bullet-proof workhorse basses, and a lot of players who don't even consider Rics would like that.

All excellent points. Sadly, there are no longer any Rick dealers in the Albuquerque area. I visit Denver regularly, so the next time I am there, I will see if one is available to check out.

I am open to it! Still, I am here with my C64 and that bass is just perfection for me, as far as Ricks go!

[rickenbrother]

If nothing else they are clearly designed to be bullet-proof workhorse basses

A great point to make to someone who doesn't think or know if the 4004 is their cup of tea.